River Avenue Blues

CNN Money Q&A with Billy Eppler

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The Yankees promoted Billy Eppler to assistant GM this past offseason, a significant move in the sense that it created at least the appearances of a line of succession for GM Brian Cashman. Eppler chatted with Shelley DuBois of CNN Money about a variety of topics recently, including the scouting process and what he’s learned from Cashman.

“Brian Cashman has taught me so much about not reacting too soon,” said Eppler. “I’ve learned that time and patience are extremely powerful weapons when used right … I look to Brian and I almost marvel at how he balances when it’s the right time to make a change and when it’s the right time to let a player sort himself out.”

The interview is short but sweet, and it’s well worth your time. It gets RAB’s highest level of recommendation, so check it out.

Cesar Cabral headed for tests on left arm

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Via Bryan Hoch and Marc Carig, Cesar Cabral is headed for x-rays and an MRI on his left arm. He’s currently in a sling with elbow pain. Joe Girardi acknowledged that Cabral had a great chance to make the team, but the second lefty situation seems to have taken care of itself. Just FYI, he has to spend at least 90 days on the active (non-DL) roster this season, otherwise the Rule 5 Draft rules carry over into 2013.

Michael Pineda dealing with “sore” shoulder

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Via Erik Boland and Marc Carig, Michael Pineda complained of soreness at the back of the right shoulder following tonight’s start. The right-hander also said he was flying open in his delivery, causing his fastball to cut. It’s been cutting all spring, really. There’s almost no chance Pineda opens the season in the rotation now, but the shoulder soreness thing is obviously worth monitoring.

Update: Jack Curry said during the broadcast that Pineda was sore before the game but didn’t tell anyone. He did describe it as normal soreness, however. Sweeny Murti said the Yankees will play it safe and send Pineda for an MRI in the morning. For what it’s worth, his pre-trade MRI was clean.

ST Game Thread: Pineda, again

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"He must work out." (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Joe Girardi said tonight is a “big start” for Michael Pineda, a solid indication that the Yankees are thinking way to hard about this rotation stuff. If the answer was any more obvious, it’d slap them in the face. Here is tonight’s lineup…

SS Derek Jeter
CF Curtis Granderson
2B Robinson Cano
3B Alex Rodriguez
1B Eric Chavez
C Russell Martin
DH Andruw Jones
RF Justin Maxwell
LF Brett Gardner

RHP Michael Pineda

Available Pitchers: LHP Boone Logan, LHP Cesar Cabral, LHP Clay Rapada, RHP Cory Wade, RHP George Kontos, RHP Ryan Pope, RHP Chase Whitley, and RHP Preston Claiborne are all available if needed.

Available Position Players: C Gus Molina, 1B Addison Maruszak, 2B Eduardo Nunez, SS Doug Bernier, 3B Bill Hall, LF Dewayne Wise, CF Chris Dickerson, and RF Zoilo Almonte will replace the starters. C Francisco Arcia and UTIL Kevin Russo are also available if needed.

Tonight’s game starts at 7:05pm ET and can be seen on YES locally and MLB Network nationally. Enjoy.

3/30 Camp Notes: Swisher, Rotation, Garcia

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(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

The Yankees are playing the Phillies for the 13,459th time this spring later on tonight, give or take. The regular game thread will be along in a bit, so here’s a round-up of the day’s news from Tampa…

  • “I’m about ready to go,” said Nick Swisher (groin). “I didn’t feel it at all today … I feel pretty good.” He is not in tonight’s lineup, but he did play five innings in the field in a minor league game this afternoon. [Marc Carig, Erik Boland & Mark Feinsand]
  • Here’s the rotation for the rest of camp: Michael Pineda (tonight), Adam Warren (Sat.), CC Sabathia (Sun.), Hiroki Kuroda & Phil Hughes (Mon.), Ivan Nova (Tues.), and Freddy Garcia & likely Michael Pineda (Weds.). Joe Girardi says they’ll have the final rotation decisions by Monday. [Feinsand, Feinsand, Feinsand & Carig]
  • “I think I did a pretty good job to earn the spot,” said Garcia, who also reiterated that he’s willing to pitch out of the bullpen. [Erik Boland]
  • Andy Pettitte is scheduled to throw a simulated game tomorrow while Ivan Nova, David Phelps, D.J. Mitchell, and Brad Meyers will throw side sessions. Hughes and Kuroda threw sides today. [Chad Jennings]

Yanks outright Craig Tatum to Triple-A

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The Yankees have outrighted catcher Craig Tatum to Triple-A. They claimed him off waivers two days ago following Austin Romine’s setback, but he was out of options and needed to clear waivers to go to the minors. He’s now done that, so Tatum remains in the organization but not on the 40-man roster. As I said yesterday, I had a feeling he would get through waivers this time after being claimed three other times this winter. He figures to split catching duties for the Triple-A squad with Gus Molina.